Semantic Error Korean BL Drama Review

Drama: Semantic Error (시맨틱 에러)

Screenwriter: Jason

Director: Kim Soo-jung

Cast:- Park Seo-ham, Park Jae-chan, Song Ji-oh, Kim Noh-jin, Kim Won-ki, Cha Jae-hoon, Choi Soo-gyun and others.

Main Characters:

Park Seo Ham as Jang Jae Young
Park Jae Chan as Chu Sang Woo

About the Show:-

The story revolves around Chu Sang-woo, a computer science major who is a junior at the University and his design major senior Jang Jae-young. These two have nothing in common, even their paths were not meant to cross each other's but life had different plans.
Extremely unexpectedly Sang-woo and Jae-young are required to work together to complete a presentation for the semester. Sang-woo cannot stand Jae-young, while the latter is working extremely hard to annoy the former due to a past misunderstanding.
All this while, they grow from being Sunbae-Hoobae (Senior-Junior) to Hyung-Dongsaeng to lovers.

(*This review may contain spoilers. If you have already watched the show, please continue reading. If you haven’t watched the show yet, you can still continue reading or you can come back to the review later.)

What I loved about the show:-

In the world of Korean BLs, this show has become the talk of the town for it's unique writing (adapted from a web novel with the same title name written by Jeo Soo-ri), amazing casting, great chemistry between the leads and fascinating OST. The show went on to top the list of the most popular OTT content during the time of it's airing.

Semantic Error is an adorable and an entertaining show and the best thing about the show is its precise writing. The show consists of minimal number of episodes but the story, background information, the present-future scenarios are all well presented and there is no 'left to the viewer's imagination's' kind of writing. The show does not feel too rushed, though an addition of 2 more episodes would have helped the show have a smoother narration.

The flow of the scenes and the dialogues and the flow in the overall story caught my attention. The manner in which the storyline from enemies to friends to lovers was written and director is absolutely praiseworthy. The first few episodes focus on introducing the characters, their friends, their background and their personalities. The middle episodes shows how after spending time together, the two grow close. The final episodes focus on their bonding, the growth in their relationship, a few ups and downs and a happy ending (spoiler alert for people who haven’t watched the show yet, which I seriously doubt).

The Characters and the Actors:-

The show succeeded in creating a lot of buzz amongst the BL fans and Park Jae-chan and Park Seo-ham received a lot of love and appreciation for excellent portrayal of their characters.

Park Seo-ham and Park Jae-chan:- Korean BLs are known for having minimal number of episodes and minimal air time. But they make up for it with outstanding acting and terrific casting. Park Seo-ham and Park Jae-chan have managed to give stellar performances. Their chemistry both on and off screen is stunning. Their acting is unbelievably remarkable.

The supporting cast is extremely important and they have performed admirably too. I love it when talented young actors get opportunities and recognition that they deserve.

The Director and the Writer:-

My favourite part about the writing by Writer Jason is how he has managed to summarise the web novel and has created a smart screenplay. The entire plot of the novel is summarised beautifully into the 8 episode drama and the movie.

Director Kim Soo-jung, another talented woman director of Korea, has produced a blockbuster BL Drama. It’s intriguing to see many BL Dramas being directed by Women directors and them delivering those dramas with finesse. It is no different with Kim Soo-jung. She has managed to present the world with a brilliant production and also presented two incredible actors with a grand opportunity, immense growth as actors and success that they deserved. She has a bright mind and is very daring with her work.

Also, do listen to the OST "Can you stay" by Coldin. It’s a romantic song and is extremely catchy.
If you are a music lover, listen to DKZ and their songs (for Jae-chan and his members, they work really hard and are very talented). Lupin is always on repeat in my playlist.

If you haven't watched this show and are looking for a good content Korean drama, give this show a watch. If you are a BL fan, then you'll fall in love with this short drama.